We all love going out to eat, but eating out frequently, especially at fast food restaurants can be disastrous to your health. But, there are a lot of things you can do, and encourage your child to do, that will make eating out healthier:

Split a meal or take half of your meal home with you

Ask for low-fat dressing on the side and dip your salad into the dressing before each bite

Use low-calorie condiments (ketchup, mustard)

Choose whole-wheat bread as often as possible

Ask for the nutrition information at the restaurant if you are concerned or unsure about what will be on the item. The most important nutrients to be concerned about are calories, saturated fat, added sugars, and sodium

Avoid ordering appetizers

Ask to have sauces and dressings on the side

Choose grilled, baked, or broiled foods instead of friend foods

﻿Tips to improve the nutrition of your meal based on the type of restaurant you're at:﻿

Mexican Restaurant:~ Order corn tortillas instead of flour ~ Avoid eating chips before the meal~ Remember that both cheese and sour cream will add many more calories to your meal

Chinese Restaurant:~ Order your meal steamed, not fried~ Order brown rice instead of white rice~ Limit your use of soy sauce and choose a low-sodium variety